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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Why Are People So Afraid Of Vinegar?
Lissa Kristine 06:19 PM 12-06-2017
This morning at work, I went to clean up a table one of the three-year-olds made a HUGE mess at while eating (and playing with) his breakfast.
Now, despite state regulations requiring a two-step cleaning procedure for eating and diapering surfaces, there is NO soap and water solution available in the center I work at. So, I saw on the top of the refrigerator a bottle labeled "Multisurface Cleaner." I put some on the table (I had to pour it out since the trigger on the spray bottle was broken) and realized that it was vinegar.
One of my coworkers flipped out at me saying that the vinegar was for the carpets and that they use dish detergent to clean the tables. I pointed out that the bottle didn't say it was 'carpet cleaner'- nor was it clear that they had recycled the bottle to be used for a vinegar/water solution.
I'm a little annoyed that she got mad at me for using the 'wrong' bottle when I simply followed the label ON the bottle, and it is not my fault that we do not have properly labeled (working) bottles of both soap and water and bleach and water solutions.
But I really don't understand why she was so freaked out about me using vinegar on the surfaces the kids eat off of. My old boss when I worked as a babysitter at a gym was the same way. If I used the vinegar/water solution to clean in the babysitting room, she freaked. (I was only allowed to use vinegar when mixed with the lavender scented cleaner). Sure, it's not the most pleasant smell, but they both act like I'm using toxic cleaners around children. Like they're going to be poisoned by the fumes.
I'd be more concerned about the too-strong bleach solution used in the diaper changing area than vinegar.
I just don't get it. Why are people so afraid of vinegar?
Now, despite state regulations requiring a two-step cleaning procedure for eating and diapering surfaces, there is NO soap and water solution available in the center I work at. So, I saw on the top of the refrigerator a bottle labeled "Multisurface Cleaner." I put some on the table (I had to pour it out since the trigger on the spray bottle was broken) and realized that it was vinegar.
One of my coworkers flipped out at me saying that the vinegar was for the carpets and that they use dish detergent to clean the tables. I pointed out that the bottle didn't say it was 'carpet cleaner'- nor was it clear that they had recycled the bottle to be used for a vinegar/water solution.
I'm a little annoyed that she got mad at me for using the 'wrong' bottle when I simply followed the label ON the bottle, and it is not my fault that we do not have properly labeled (working) bottles of both soap and water and bleach and water solutions.
But I really don't understand why she was so freaked out about me using vinegar on the surfaces the kids eat off of. My old boss when I worked as a babysitter at a gym was the same way. If I used the vinegar/water solution to clean in the babysitting room, she freaked. (I was only allowed to use vinegar when mixed with the lavender scented cleaner). Sure, it's not the most pleasant smell, but they both act like I'm using toxic cleaners around children. Like they're going to be poisoned by the fumes.
I'd be more concerned about the too-strong bleach solution used in the diaper changing area than vinegar.
I just don't get it. Why are people so afraid of vinegar?
mommyneedsadayoff 06:24 PM 12-06-2017
I'm not! I use a vinegar solution to clean pretty much every surface in my house. I use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, lemon, ect. Besides the smell, i dont understand why someone would be anti vinegar.
Cat Herder 03:33 AM 12-07-2017
Vinegar is not an approved disinfectant to prevent disease transmission. Community acquired diseases are not something to play around with. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17632670
"Children cared for at daycare or in preschool education exhibit a two to three times greater risk of acquiring infections, which impacts both on individual health and on the dissemination of diseases through the community."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17632670"Children cared for at daycare or in preschool education exhibit a two to three times greater risk of acquiring infections, which impacts both on individual health and on the dissemination of diseases through the community."
amberrose3dg 03:48 AM 12-07-2017
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Vinegar is not an approved disinfectant to prevent disease transmission. Community acquired diseases are not something to play around with. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17632670
"Children cared for at daycare or in preschool education exhibit a two to three times greater risk of acquiring infections, which impacts both on individual health and on the dissemination of diseases through the community."
Vinegar is not an approved disinfectant to prevent disease transmission. Community acquired diseases are not something to play around with.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17632670"Children cared for at daycare or in preschool education exhibit a two to three times greater risk of acquiring infections, which impacts both on individual health and on the dissemination of diseases through the community."
Also the tables they are eating should probably be cleaned with the bleach solution or other approved disinfectant. I know we are required to use our bleach spray here.
Lissa Kristine 04:20 AM 12-07-2017
Oh I totally get that, and I DID use bleach on the tables afterwards. However, our state requires a two-step procedure beginning with using soap and water. I had no idea the one bottle contained vinegar as it was a bottle labeled "Multi-surface Cleaner". I was just trying to do step-one. My co-worker acted as if the vinegar itself was toxic.
Cat Herder 05:06 AM 12-07-2017
Originally Posted by Lissa Kristine:
Oh I totally get that, and I DID use bleach on the tables afterwards. However, our state requires a two-step procedure beginning with using soap and water. I had no idea the one bottle contained vinegar as it was a bottle labeled "Multi-surface Cleaner". I was just trying to do step-one. My co-worker acted as if the vinegar itself was toxic.
Vinegar also is not a surfactant so will not remove oils effectively. Oh I totally get that, and I DID use bleach on the tables afterwards. However, our state requires a two-step procedure beginning with using soap and water. I had no idea the one bottle contained vinegar as it was a bottle labeled "Multi-surface Cleaner". I was just trying to do step-one. My co-worker acted as if the vinegar itself was toxic.
Mom2Two 10:07 AM 12-07-2017
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Vinegar is not an approved disinfectant to prevent disease transmission. Community acquired diseases are not something to play around with. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17632670
"Children cared for at daycare or in preschool education exhibit a two to three times greater risk of acquiring infections, which impacts both on individual health and on the dissemination of diseases through the community."
Vinegar is not an approved disinfectant to prevent disease transmission. Community acquired diseases are not something to play around with.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17632670"Children cared for at daycare or in preschool education exhibit a two to three times greater risk of acquiring infections, which impacts both on individual health and on the dissemination of diseases through the community."
I would be concerned about the mislabeled bottle--this time it was vinegar, next time it might be toxic. It's a topic that is preached about a lot.
daycarediva 10:12 AM 12-07-2017
I am more concerned with the mis labeled bottle.
You need a new job.
I would report these incidents, too.
You need a new job.
I would report these incidents, too.